Are you overdue for a teeth cleaning? Does the idea of going to the dentist freak you out? In the United States, between 9% and 15% of the population avoid going to the dentist due to fear and anxiety.
For many people, all it takes is one bad experience to give them a dental phobia. The problem? People who don’t get their teeth cleaned regularly, and avoid having check-ups at the dentist are much more likely to get gum disease or lose some of their teeth.
Read on to learn how you can choose a dentist for your next tooth cleaning.
Choosing the Best Dentist for Your Teeth Cleaning
Choosing the right dentist is important. You need someone you feel comfortable with, who will make you feel relaxed and ensure you’re in safe hands.
That’s why you should choose a trustworthy dentist like David Satnick. That way, you’ll have a great experience, and can keep your teeth healthy and clean.
Here are some things you should consider when choosing a dentist for your next teeth cleaning:
Qualifications
In order for a dentist to be qualified, they need to be either Doctors of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctors of Dental Surgery (DDS). This means that they’ve completed at least two years of dental work (pre-college) and four years of dental school.
Your dentist also needs to be licensed. This means that they’ve passed both state and national exams and can legally practice dentistry.
Specialties
While you may just be interested in getting your teeth cleaned, it doesn’t hurt to consider which specialties your dentist has. In order to be a specialist, a dentist needs to complete at least two more years of schooling and advanced training. Examples include:
- Root canal therapy or endodontics
- Orthodontics
- Maxillofacial and oral surgery
- Restorative treatments like dentures, bridges, gum treatment, and crowns
- Pediatric Dentistry or pedodontics
Testimonials
These days, it’s easy to jump online and research the dentists in your area.
In fact, it simply makes sense to do your due diligence before you go in for teeth cleaning. Keep in mind that everyone has different ideas about what makes a good dentist. But it will be easy to see if a dentist has mostly positive or negative reviews.
Pay attention to reviews mentioning hygiene, customer service, and transparency.
Referrals
A great dentist is like a great hairdresser: Once you find one you love, you tell everyone you know. If you need a new dentist, put the word out to your friends and family members.
It can even be worth posting a status on Facebook. When someone we know has had a great experience with a particular dentist, we naturally feel that we can trust that dentist more. This is always good if you’re the type to get anxious when you lay down in the dentist’s chair.
Ready to Get Your Teeth Cleaned?
What do you think of the above tips? Have you begun your search for a dentist? Leave a comment below, or check out some of our other featured businesses today.